BY MARTYN REYES
DOING THINGS is an interview series putting the spotlight on young people who are doing cool, impactful stuff to make their corner of the world that little bit better. Read, get, inspired, and go do the things.
I’m going to be extremely real right now, Sky a.k.a Soju Gang begins in a lengthy Instagram story. I’m a Melbourne DJ, someone who makes clothes and someone who tries to be an active community member when I can … in no way is my Instagram an avenue for you to get all your information from. Nor is giving me a follow going to heal your inner biases and make a societal impact.
Soju Gang has seen a rise in followers over the last months as her work’s been shared widely as a valuable source of information regarding issues impacting Indigenous Australians. However for the 25-year-old Gunai/Kurnai, Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman, participating in online activism isn’t anything new. According to the savvy Capricorn, it’s the influx of people willing to learn and understand that has in fact shifted.
More recently we have seen the mould of a social media ‘influencer’ break from one of beauty and glamour, to an embodiment of social awareness and a drive for change. Flipping the idea of the traditional influencer on its head, Soju Gang uses her profile to bring marginalised voices to the forefront.
“I have a responsibility to my mob to use this platform to spread as much information and resources as possible. Not many of our people have platforms to speak directly to non-Indigenous mobs so it’s a role I take seriously.”
Soju Gang describes herself as an all-round creative whose interests revolve around the arts, her community and really long YouTube documentaries. Aside from her energy going into educating others online, the multifaceted Melbournite is well known for her party-mix sets as a DJ and her label SAWFT, having recently showed her first collection at Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Politics is inevitably weaved into her music and designs. She states that her very existence is political and thus her success is an act of resistance, particularly in spaces such as clubs and the fashion industry.
“This country does not see the Indigenous community’s existence as human beings worthy. So me being able to be a designer, a DJ, a part of Melbourne’s arts community and alive after the fact that Australian Government has continuously tried to eradicate my people’s existence on this soil, is political.”
The successes from her creative pursuits have come with the very challenges she posts about on social media. However, she turns to her tight-knit community within the industry for support.
“I faced a lot of racism, from security, bartenders, event management, etc. But as I developed a name for myself and navigated through different venues, I found some really amazing people who not only see myself as a creative first and foremost, but also respect who I am as an Indigenous woman and the fight I participate in.”
“The communities I take part in work towards uplifting the voices of my community, creating safe spaces, raising money, and participating in the fight for Blak people of this country.”
It’s Soju Gang’s mission to ensure the very same Aussies supporting the Black Lives Matter movement do not overlook the injustices faced in their own backyards, which is why her online persona can be viewed as “blunt” and unapologetic.
“In the past, Indigenous people have had to politely spoon feed people our stories, our issues and our resources just to get less than bare minimum done,” she says. “I’ve solidified my role as someone who isn’t going to sugar coat the disparity my community faces to ensure Non-Indigenous people are comfortable. Comfortability doesn’t evoke change, and it’s time that people realise that the uneasiness they feel is how this country is finally going to move forward.”
“People wanting to help conduct change need to understand that to be an ally, isn’t about us making things as easy and beautifully packaged as possible. That wanting to be a part of this movement also means looking into yourself and asking how you’ve contributed.”
“The best advice I can give you is pace yourself. Ask questions from mob of what you can do, know what your abilities are and what you can offer to the cause, and expect to be doing this for a long time.”
“I’ve been in this marathon for years, my people for over a millennium – people just joining now can’t be expected to be as educated, seasoned, or as hard hitting.”
Soju Gang is a promising voice of our generation, cunningly utilising her platform to knock down the structures of colonialism while generously providing others the means to join her and her community in their fight towards justice. Whether as a DJ or designer, online activist or model – she is making her name as a national treasure whose work will undoubtedly serve to inspire and enact change.
Soju Gang gladly shared some tips for allies committed to supporting First Nations people:
- Look inward and educate yourself about issues experienced by Indigenous Australians, constantly challenge your own perceptions and assumptions, and try to educate and challenge others.
- Use your voice to uplift blak issues and voices, not speak on behalf of.
- Call out racism around you. This means having hard conversations with family members, coworkers and in public spaces – so blak folk don’t have to.
- Learn your rights and other’s rights so when you witness injustice, you can step in to defend yourself/them.
- Write letters to politicians, councils, newspapers, police stations, government bodies, businesses etc. “Silently standing by the Indigenous community isn’t standing by us at all.”
- Use your money. Donate, donate, donate.
Two specific issues Soju Gang wants you to look at right now:
- Raise The Age. Australian children as young as ten can be arrested and be locked in prison. This organisation urges the government to change the law and raise the age. For more information and to donate click here: https://www.raisetheage.org.au/
- Blak Deaths in Custody. Over 439 Indigenous people have died in custody and not a single officer has been held properly accountable by the justice system. “Our people should not be dying in cages. Go follow @stopblakdeathsincustody to see what you can do to aid in the fight for justice.”
Editor’s Note: On the day this story is published, report of another Aboriginal death in custody has hit the media. The number of deaths recorded is since the 1991 Royal Commission into this issue.